The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra branch, Prof. Peter Katchy, has urged the state government to establish a diagnostic centre to tackle Lassa fever disease.

Katchy made the call on Wednesday at a sensitisation, preparedness and response programme for Lassa fever disease in Awka.

He suggested that the equipment to be procured by the government should be installed at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka to bring diagnosis nearer the people.

The vice chairman expressed concern that only one diagnostic centre existed at Irua in Edo to serve the country, describing the situation as regrettable.

“At times, these outbreaks occur to expose the repugnant attitudes of our leaders in providing modern facilities in the health industry.”

Katchy noted, however, no case of the disease had been reported in the state, quoting health officials.

On the prevention of the disease, he said that the best means of control was the depopulation of rodents in homes.

“The people should avoid the exposure of food items; wash all dirty utensils, clean up and fumigate the environment to reduce rodent infections.”

He urged the people to report symptoms like fever, vomiting of blood, stomach ache, cough, chest pain, nausea, diarrhoea, dysphagia, pharyngitis, meningitis, and unilateral or bilateral hearing deficit, among others to the nearest hospital.

Katchy said that the sensitisation was organised for stakeholders and partners to ensure that adequate measures as well as coordinated plans were on ground to prevent the disease.

He also said that similar exercise would be organised in the 21 local government areas and 177 communities in the state. (NAN)

•Photo shows Anambra Governor Willie Obiano.